SWFL agendas: School is out, but there's a lot to learn in the week ahead

In Collier County, school is out and few elected boards have meetings scheduled.

But important issues are on the table nonetheless.

On Tuesday, Collier County commissioners can jump-start a long-delayed water and sewer project for a northern inland part of the county.

Items on the agenda would approve issuance of $77 million in bonds to build new water and sewer facilities for the Immokalee Road area near the Collier County Fairgrounds and the Big Corkscrew Island Regional Park, which is in the planning stages.

The expansion of water and sewer service in the area has been on the planning board for more than a decade, but when building fell off because of the 2008 recession, the project was shelved.

With building picking up, the plans are being dusted off and the project is back on.

The facility would serve, among other areas, the proposed Rivergrass Village development recently unveiled by Collier Enterprises.

Also on the commissioners’ agenda is a review of a policy that charges some water customers more for their fire suppression hookups.

For example, First Baptist Church in 2018 paid just over $5,000 for its hookup, according to a county staff report. In 2019, the fee is just over $4,000.

In contrast, First Congregational Church, with a different-size water line, paid nothing in 2018. In 2019, its fee is $2,239, the reports states.

In all, 225 properties that had avoided the fee in the past will now be assessed, according to the report.

Beach Club back to board

Naples’ Planning Advisory Board will get its second look Wednesday at the massive redevelopment project proposed at the site of the Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club.

The board first took up plans by the Watkins family and California-based builders The Athens Group on Feb. 13.

A standing-room crowd at City Hall listened through several hours of presentations and objections before the advisory board put off making a recommendation for a month.

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In the meantime, the developers have revised some elements of their plans, but controversial items such as building setbacks smaller than city code calls for remain.

Under the plan presented last month, the existing hotel would be demolished. In its place would be a smaller hotel and several high-end condo buildings on the east and west sides of Gulf Shore Boulevard North.

The golf course would remain a golf course and the builders guarantee that the public would still have access to the beach, the beachside bar and hotel restaurant.

In addition to the smaller setbacks, the developers are asking for permission to construct some buildings about 11 feet higher than what is currently allowed in that area.

The Planning Advisory Board meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. at City Hall, 735 Eighth St. S.

Revenue forecast

Spring break for Lee County students won't begin until next week, and Lee County School Board members will be working this week too.

On Tuesday the board will get an update on projected revenue from the recently approved sales tax. In November, voters narrowly agreed to an extra percent of sales tax to fund school system capital improvements.

The board will also receive updates from several of its advisory committees.

The briefing meeting will begin at 2 p.m. and will be followed by a regular board meeting at 6 p.m. Both will be at district headquarters, 2855 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers.

The Florida House and Senate will have committee hearings in Tallahassee from Monday through Thursday as the Legislature enters its first full week of the 60-day session.

Representative government works best when residents are active and involved. Attend meetings and make your voice heard on issues important to you.